EXHIBIT 99.1

     The Middleby Corporation Acquires Nu-Vu Food Service Systems

    ELGIN, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2005--The Middleby
Corporation (NASDAQ:MIDD) today announced the acquisition of the
assets of Nu-Vu Food Service Systems division ("Nu-Vu") from Win-Holt
Equipment Corporation for $12 million in cash. The acquired division
manufactures baking ovens under the Nu-Vu brand and holding cabinets
under its Wilder brand. The company's core products represent
approximately $10 million in annual sales.
    "The addition of Nu-Vu puts Middleby in a strong position to
capitalize on the fast-growing trend of on-premise baking" said
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Selim A. Bassoul.
    Nu-Vu's current customer base includes SUBWAY(R), the world's
largest sandwich chain and one of the most successful restaurant
concepts. Other customers of Nu-Vu, which manufactures its products in
Menominee, Michigan, include casual dining and fast-casual
restaurants.
    "By leveraging the strength of Middleby's global distribution
channels and current relationships with restaurant chain customers, we
will be able to introduce Nu-Vu and Wilder products to a broader
audience," added Bassoul.

    Statements in this press release or otherwise attributable to the
Company regarding the Company's business which are not historical fact
are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The Company cautions investors that such statements are estimates of
future performance and are highly dependent upon a variety of
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from such statements. Such factors include variability in financing
costs; quarterly variations in operating results; dependence on key
customers; international exposure; foreign exchange and political
risks affecting international sales; changing market conditions; the
impact of competitive products and pricing; the timely development and
market acceptance of the Company's products; the availability and cost
of raw materials; and other risks detailed herein and from
time-to-time in the Company's SEC filings.

    The Middleby Corporation is a global leader in the foodservice
equipment industry. The company develops, manufactures, markets and
services a broad line of equipment used for cooking and food
preparation in commercial and institutional kitchens and restaurants
throughout the world. The company's leading equipment brands include
Blodgett(R), Blodgett Combi(R), Blodgett Range(R), CTX(R),
MagiKitch'n(R), Middleby Marshall(R), Pitco Frialator(R),
Southbend(R), and Toastmaster(R). Middleby's international subsidiary,
Middleby Worldwide, is a leading exporter and distributor of
foodservice and the Middleby Philippines Corporation, is a leading
supplier of specialty equipment in the Asian markets. In 2004 The
Middleby Corporation was ranked #12 on Forbes 200 Best Small
Companies; #11 on the FORTUNE Fastest Growing Companies list and #56
on the BusinessWeek Hot Growth Companies.
    For further information about The Middleby Corporation, visit
www.middleby.com.

    CONTACT: The Middleby Corporation
             Darcy Bretz, 847-429-7756